Exploring the nurse navigator role: A thematic analysis
Corresponding Author
Amy-Louise Byrne RN, BN, GCEmerg, GCCFH
Associate Lecturer
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Science, Central Queensland University, Townsville, Qld, Australia
Correspondence
Amy-Louise Byrne, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Science, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Qld, Australia.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorDesley Hegney RN, BA, (Hons), PhD
Professor
Research Division, Central Queensland University Brisbane Campus, School of Nursing, Brisbane
Search for more papers by this authorClare Harvey RN, BA(Cur), MA, PhD
Associate Professor
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Science, Central Queensland University, Townsville, Qld, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorAdele Baldwin PhD, MNSt, GCETT, RN, RM
Senior Lecturer
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Science, Central Queensland University, Townsville, Qld, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorEileen Willis PhD
Professor
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Science, Central Queensland University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorDavid Heard BN
Project Officer
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Science, Central Queensland University, Townsville, Qld, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorJenni Judd DHSc, MPH, MEd, DipHPE
Professor
School of Health Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Bundaberg, Qld, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorJanine Palmer RN, NP
Nurse Practitioner
Hawke’s Bay District Health Board, Hastings, New Zealand
Search for more papers by this authorJanie Brown BN, MEd, PhD
Senior Fellow
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorBrody Heritage BPsych, (Hons), PhD
Senior Lecturer
College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorShona Thompson PhD
Senior Lecturer
Eastern Institute of Technology, Napier, New Zealand
Search for more papers by this authorBridget Ferguson RN, RM, BNurs, GradCertMid, MMID, MPH
Lecturer
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Science, Central Queensland University, Townsville, Qld, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Amy-Louise Byrne RN, BN, GCEmerg, GCCFH
Associate Lecturer
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Science, Central Queensland University, Townsville, Qld, Australia
Correspondence
Amy-Louise Byrne, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Science, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Qld, Australia.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorDesley Hegney RN, BA, (Hons), PhD
Professor
Research Division, Central Queensland University Brisbane Campus, School of Nursing, Brisbane
Search for more papers by this authorClare Harvey RN, BA(Cur), MA, PhD
Associate Professor
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Science, Central Queensland University, Townsville, Qld, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorAdele Baldwin PhD, MNSt, GCETT, RN, RM
Senior Lecturer
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Science, Central Queensland University, Townsville, Qld, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorEileen Willis PhD
Professor
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Science, Central Queensland University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorDavid Heard BN
Project Officer
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Science, Central Queensland University, Townsville, Qld, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorJenni Judd DHSc, MPH, MEd, DipHPE
Professor
School of Health Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Bundaberg, Qld, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorJanine Palmer RN, NP
Nurse Practitioner
Hawke’s Bay District Health Board, Hastings, New Zealand
Search for more papers by this authorJanie Brown BN, MEd, PhD
Senior Fellow
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorBrody Heritage BPsych, (Hons), PhD
Senior Lecturer
College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorShona Thompson PhD
Senior Lecturer
Eastern Institute of Technology, Napier, New Zealand
Search for more papers by this authorBridget Ferguson RN, RM, BNurs, GradCertMid, MMID, MPH
Lecturer
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Science, Central Queensland University, Townsville, Qld, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorFunding information
Funding for the research was provided by Queensland Health, Australia.
Abstract
Background
Patients with complex chronic conditions experience fragmentation of care, unnecessary hospitalization and reduced quality of life, with an increased incidence of poor health outcomes.
Aim(s)
The aim of this paper was to explore how nurse navigators manage client care. This was achieved through an examination of narratives provided by the nurse navigator that evaluated their scope of practice.
Method(s)
All nurse navigators employed by Queensland Health were invited to participate in a study evaluating the effectiveness of the service. Eighty-four self-reported vignettes were thematically analysed to understand the work from the nurses’ perspectives.
Results
Two themes emerged from the vignettes. Theme 1, the layers of complexity, is comprised of three sub-themes: the complex patient, the complex system and patient outcomes. Theme 2, professional attributes, has two sub-themes: person-centred care and clinical excellence.
Conclusion
Navigators innovatively integrate services and address the fragmented nature of the health system. They apply expert clinical and social skills, through consistent and robust communication, to meet the needs of those with multiple chronic conditions.
Implications for nursing management
Results provide insight into the new role, illuminating the work they achieve, despite system complexities.
Supporting Information
| Filename | Description |
|---|---|
| jonm12997-sup-0001-TableS1.docxWord document, 18.9 KB | Table S1 |
Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.
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